AUCD Convenes National Disability and Health Partners for Conference Event: Building Healthy Communities for Everyone

Silver Spring, MD, June 14, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Today over 150 disability and health leaders from around the country will convene for “Building Healthy Communities for Everyone,” a three day conference event in Chicago, IL. The meeting is sponsored by the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).

Over 54 million Americans have a disability. With growing public health concern of disability and social isolation, the impact of obesity and nutrition, as well as smoking, good health is still a frontier for many Americans. “We are here to work together on effective health and wellness programs that are welcoming and adapted for people with disabilities,” says Dr. George Jesien, PhD, AUCD’s Executive Director. “This is the first time that we have convened disability as well as general population health leaders together with potential partners. All general population health efforts like obesity prevention, physical activity, and well-patient screening need to include and welcome people with disabilities.”

“Building Healthy Communities for Everyone” brings together Disability and Health State Implementation Projects, Public Health Practice and Resource Centers, State Health Departments, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The meeting will take place June 14-June 16, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro, 733 West Madison, Chicago, IL 60661. Agenda highlights include:

~Plenary - June 14, 9:45am, featuring Dr. Eduardo Simoes, Prevention Research Centers Program, CDC
~Helping Hands Award - June 14, 12/noon, recognizing Access Living
~Adaptive Dance Workshop - June 14, 5 pm, facilitated by Dance>Detour
~Healthy Lifestyles for Everyone - June 15, 12:45pm, featuring Dr. Jeff Levi, Trust for America’s Health
~Walk-N-Roll - June 15, 5:30pm, featuring accessible routes in Greektown.

The meeting will also commemorate the CDC’s NCBDDD 10 Years of Service, emphasizing work to advance the health and well-being of America’s most vulnerable populations. AUCD is a nonprofit network of university-based interdisciplinary centers and programs working to advance policy and practices for people living with disabilities and their families. For more information on the Disability and Health Partners Meeting or AUCD’s CDC cooperative agreement, please visit www.aucd.org.

Onsite press passes and interview opportunities will be available.

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